Comments on: Gerry, we hardly knew you ..

By: A quarter pound of reasons, and half a pound of sins « Splintered Sunrise

A quarter pound of reasons, and half a pound of sins « Splintered Sunrise — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:12:31 +0000

[...] about Gerry’s handling of the matter, and I’ll direct you to a thoughtful analysis by Malachi and a more caustic one from [...]

By: Simon Partridge

Simon Partridge — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:05:18 +0000

Malachi, your point 3 at the end is extremely pertinent. I think there is a real question to be asked about the republican recourse to violence and the linkage to trauma and abuse. It should not be forgotten that Pearse himself undoubtedly entertained homoerotic paedophile fantasies, and certainly on occasions shared beds with young peasant boys (no one knows exactly what happened). This issue, although mentioned, is glossed over in Ruth Dudley Edwards’ biography and is dismissed by saying, “Whatever sexual drive he had he sublimated through work.” (Patrick Pearse: The Triumph of Failure, 1977, 2006, p.53)

This is a false understanding of the Freudian notion of “sublimation”, which implies the conscious turning of instinctual energy towards some higher and more social end. What seems to have happened in Pearse’s case was “repression” in which the pent up sexual energy was diverted increasingly towards fanaticism and the embrace of violence and self-aggrandisement. It should also be recalled that he ran a boys school – something he would not have been let within a 100 miles of in these Child Protection days.

Modern psycho-analytical psychology understands paedophilia as a complex and intractable disorder of the personality, often linked to child abuse, physical or emotional, of the perpetrator (Liam Adams is a classic case). It also seems to be accompanied by passive-aggression, which on occasion can turn active. It is difficult to treat.

If wider questions can now be asked about the motivation behind the leading protagonist of 1916 then that might help to free Ireland from the self-perpetuating and destructive cult attached to Pearse and the Easter coup.

By: Ardoyne Republican

Ardoyne Republican — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:32:54 +0000

If its true that Adams didn’t notify the Clonard, Blackie and Dundalk Youth Centres’ after knowing his brother working there, he should resign!

However, if he did notify them and they didn’t inform the RUC, Garda or the PSNI. Then those responsible should resign!

I strongly believe that despite the S/F Leader’s shortcomings on the above issue that he was duty-bound to report his suspicions to the above agencies. So that other children could have been protected from the dangers.

Thank-You Malachy for your clarity on child abuse and I hope young Aine, gets justice and the help to come to terms with others actions.

By: Walter Ellis

Walter Ellis — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:14:17 +0000

A classy blog, Malachi. You should send it, suitably altered, to the New York Times. Merry Christmas!